Susan VanHuizen, LMSW

Susan VanHuizen is an LMSW who brings 20 years of clinical experience to her work in Michigan. She focuses on depression, anxiety, stress, and addiction concerns, and helps people facing major life changes. Susan aims to create a calm, respectful place to talk and figure out next steps.

She uses clear, practical methods in sessions so people can try new ways to manage symptoms. That can mean learning skills to handle strong emotions, changing unhelpful thoughts, or finding motivation to make different choices. Sessions are straightforward and focused on what the person wants to change.

Susan often works with people coping with aging and geriatric issues, chronic illness or pain, and the emotional fallout of separation or loss. She also helps those dealing with codependency, control issues, and struggles around money or life purpose. The emphasis is on everyday tools and step-by-step progress rather than complicated theory.

Over two decades she has supported clients through recovery from drug and alcohol problems and through the shame and guilt that can follow trauma or family conflict. She brings patience and steady guidance when people feel isolated or unsure about the future.

In sessions Susan blends cognitive-behavioral strategies, mindfulness practices, and motivational approaches so people can build lasting coping skills. Her style is empathetic and goal-oriented, and she partners with each person to tailor practical steps toward clearer thinking and more manageable days.

How evidence-based approaches translate to online care

Many of Susan's methods are skills-based and translate well to remote work. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy helps people notice and change thought patterns that fuel depression and anxiety, often through homework and practical exercises. Dialectical Behavior Therapy emphasizes emotion regulation and distress tolerance skills to manage intense feelings and reduce impulsive behaviors.

Choosing the right method is part of the process. Susan collaborates with each person to decide which approaches fit their goals and daily life. That means trying strategies, checking what helps, and adjusting the plan together as work proceeds.

Session formats are not detailed in the provided biography, so confirm current session options before booking. Many people find online sessions helpful because they can fit appointments into busy schedules, avoid travel time, or use shorter check-ins when needed. Online work also makes it easier to practice skills in the settings where problems occur, and therapists can suggest simple at-home exercises between meetings.